La Carlota City Hikes Tricycle Fares
La Carlota City in Negros Occidental approved Ordinance No. 2026‑002, raising tricycle fares to offset soaring gasoline prices that have climbed to P93‑P99.80 per litre. Effective April 1, short‑trip fares are now P15 (≈$0.27) for regular passengers and P10 (≈$0.18) for seniors, PWDs and students, while longer routes cost up to P60 (≈$1.09) regular and P48 (≈$0.87) discounted. The ordinance mandates visible fare matrices and allows future adjustments linked to fuel price movements. In a separate incident, a heavy‑equipment driver was fatally shot by a fruit vendor in Barangay 33, highlighting safety concerns for transport workers.
Peso Plunges Toward ₱61 per US Dollar Amid Oil Surge
The Philippine peso fell to a new low of ₱60.75 per dollar (≈ $1 = ₱60.75) on March 31, as rising oil prices and risk‑off sentiment lifted the US dollar. Trading volume slipped to $1.59 billion from $2.01 billion, and analysts expect the peso to hover...
PhilHealth to Implement SPA Generator as Part of Digitalization Push Starting April 1
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) will launch a Statement of Premium Account (SPA) Generator on April 1 for self‑paying members. Under the new “No SPA, No Payment” rule, members must create a QR‑coded SPA before any contribution can be processed....
Pangilinan: AGRI-AGRA Team Creates Task Force on Middle East Crisis
Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan announced the formation of an AGRI-AGRA task force that brings together the Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform, Senate, House members, and local governments to monitor the Middle East crisis’s effect on the Philippines. The...
Visas of Foreigners Affected by Middle East Conflict Extended Until May 1 -- DOJ
The Philippine Department of Justice has unilaterally extended the automatic visa stay for foreigners affected by the Middle East conflict until May 1, relieving them of any fees, fines or penalties. The extension builds on a prior order that allowed stays...
Malacañang Lauds Manila for Free Jeepney Rides Amid Fuel Crisis
Manila City announced a subsidy that will cover the daily operations of more than 1,400 jeepneys, allowing roughly 100,000 commuters to ride for free during a five‑day pilot amid a nationwide fuel crisis. The scheme, enacted under Executive Order No. 14,...
Ayala’s AC Health Stands Out as the only Philippine Group Recognized Across Hospitals and Pharma at Healthcare Asia Awards
Ayala’s healthcare arm AC Health emerged as the only Philippine group honored in both hospital and pharmaceutical categories at the Healthcare Asia Awards, securing multiple accolades for its subsidiaries Healthway Medical Network, Generika Drugstore, MedEthix, and IE Medica. Healthway earned Patient Care...
LG Leads OLED for the 13th Straight Year
LG retained its OLED TV leadership for the 13th year, commanding 49.7% of the global market in 2025 with roughly 3.22 million units shipped. Global OLED shipments rose 6.6% year‑over‑year to 6.47 million units, underscoring a steady shift toward premium displays. The...
Romualdez Reminds Pinoys About Power of Prayer, Reflection in Lenten Message
Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez used Palm Sunday to urge Filipinos to treat Holy Week as a period of prayer, reflection, and personal accountability. He highlighted the nation’s current challenges—division, mistrust, and social strain—and called for spiritual renewal to foster...
Food Crisis Looms as Fuel Prices Drive Farmers, Fishers Into Debt—Group
A Filipino farmers’ coalition, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, warned on March 29 that soaring fuel prices are pushing farmers and fisherfolk deeper into debt and could trigger a nationwide food crisis. Diesel‑driven irrigation and transport costs have surged, while fertilizer prices...
Coastal Fuel Storage Facilities in Visayas, Mindanao a Must, Says Libanan
House Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan called on the state‑owned Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) to develop coastal petroleum storage facilities in the Visayas and Mindanao, citing the current global fuel crisis triggered by the U.S.–Israeli war on Iran. He...
Security Heightened, Safety Measures in Place as Millions of Pinoys Travel for Holy Week
The Philippine National Police has mobilized nearly 60,000 officers to secure Holy Week travel as millions of Filipinos head home. The Philippine Ports Authority expects over 2.4 million port passengers and the New NAIA Infra Corp. forecasts more than 1.3 million airport...
NAIAX Opens New Off-Ramp to Terminal 3
The Philippines opened a new 320‑meter, two‑lane off‑ramp linking the NAIA Expressway directly to Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, cutting travel time by roughly 15 to 25 minutes. Built by San Miguel Corporation’s infrastructure arm, the ramp was finished in...
New Honda Cars PH President Takes over on April 1
Honda Cars Philippines announced that Hidekazu Arai will assume the role of president on April 1, 2026, succeeding Rie Miyake, who is moving to a senior position at Honda Motor Co. Arai brings nearly two decades of global experience, most...
Unilab, Mercury Drug Celebrate Women’s Month, Roll Out Bone and Blood Screening Caravan
Unilab and Mercury Drug have launched a free Bone and Blood Caravan during Women’s Month, offering on‑site bone density and anemia screenings plus doctor consultations at multiple locations in Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna. The initiative, powered by Unilab’s...
Sound Advice: Caring for Your Hearing and Balance
World Health Organization estimates that by 2050 roughly 2.5 billion people will experience some degree of hearing loss, with over 700 million requiring rehabilitation. The article outlines common risk factors—from prenatal infections and childhood ear infections to occupational noise and ototoxic medications—and...
Gov’t Secures ₱82-Billion Japanese Loan to Bolster Infra, Economic Status
The Philippines has secured a roughly $1.5 billion loan from Japan International Cooperation Agency, comprising 220 billion yen for the Metro Manila Subway Phase 1 and 1.67 billion yen for the Central Mindanao High‑Standard Highway design. The subway, the nation’s first underground rail line,...
Dear Young People: You Do Not Have to Hurry
The article argues that societal pressure forces young people to chase rapid, visible success, often by age twenty‑five, creating a scripted timeline of achievement. It reveals that this urgency is largely manufactured by industries that profit from insecurity, such as...
Belt-Tightening Mode
The Philippines is entering a belt‑tightening phase as a four‑week‑old Middle East conflict drives global oil prices higher, eroding the peso and inflating consumer costs. A temporary suspension of petroleum excise taxes will cut government revenue by roughly $2.5 billion, potentially...
Ordanes Rues Outrageous Diesel Prices in the Philippines, Calls for Probe
Senior Citizens Party‑list Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes urged the Philippine House to investigate a sharp diesel price surge that has pushed pump rates above P100 per liter (≈$1.80), the highest increase among Asian nations. He blamed limited refinery capacity and alleged profiteering...
Chat Groups: Social Networks that Sustain Friendship
Private chat groups have evolved into enduring support circles that transcend geography, allowing alumni, former coworkers, and family members to share advice, resources, and emotional backing. These digital threads facilitate rapid responses to health crises, legal hurdles, and everyday stressors,...
Southeast Asia: The Next Economic Powerhouse?
Jack Ma, Alibaba founder, says Southeast Asia will eclipse China as the next global economic powerhouse. He cites China’s aging population, regulatory crackdowns, and real‑estate woes, contrasted with the region’s 680 million‑strong, youthful workforce and multilingual talent. Singapore serves as a...
Whoever Keeps My Word Will Never See Death
The reflection explores humanity’s deep‑seated fear of death and frames it as a catalyst for spiritual practice. It cites Bishop Fulton Sheen and St. Paul to argue that daily self‑offering, or “daily death,” mitigates that fear. The piece then examines...
Marcos Declares State of National Energy Emergency
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order 110 on March 24, declaring a one‑year state of national energy emergency in the Philippines. The order responds to the Middle‑East conflict that has disrupted global oil supplies and driven price volatility. It creates the Unified Package...
No Successful Hacking of eGov App Despite 1,000 Daily Attempts — DICT
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) reported that its eGov mobile app has withstood over 1,000 daily cyber‑attack attempts, including spikes of 5,000‑6,000 attempts, without any successful breach. Officials attribute this resilience to multiple security layers, full‑data encryption,...
Globe Turns over IMSI Catcher Detectors over to the NTC, CICC, CIDG to Help Fight Mobile Scams
Globe has transferred IMSI catcher detectors to the Philippines’ National Telecommunications Commission, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to strengthen the fight against mobile scams. The detectors enable real‑time identification and location of...
DOE: PH Fuel Supply Will 'Run Dry' If Middle East Tensions Escalate
The Philippines, which imports over 90% of its petroleum, faces a potential fuel shortage if Middle East tensions disrupt global oil routes, especially the Strait of Hormuz. DOE Secretary Sharon Garin warned that gasoline stocks could last about 64 days...
PPA Launches Online Reservation System for Port Passengers in Time for Holy Week Exodus
The Philippine Ports Authority has launched the Online Reservation Assistance System (ORAS), a digital platform that lets passengers book ship tickets online, aiming to ease the chronic congestion at ports during peak travel periods. The pilot will be tested at...
Mild Bargain Hunting Lifts PSEi Amid Hopes of US Easing Middle East Tensions
The Philippine Stock Exchange index edged higher on March 24, gaining 37.02 points (0.63%) to close at 5,936.20, led by mining stocks as gold prices rose, while trading volume slipped to 634 million shares worth roughly $102 million. The rally was sparked by...
Senate Reviews MORE Power Expansion in Southern Iloilo
The Philippine Senate’s Committee on Public Services is deliberating a bill to amend Republic Act 11918, allowing Razon‑group MORE Electric and Power Corp. to extend its franchise into Iloilo’s second and fourth districts. MORE Power, which took over Panay Electric...
MPIC Increases 2026 Capex to over ₱200 Billion Due to Investments in Renewables
Metro Pacific Investments Corp (MPIC) raised its 2026 capital expenditure budget to over ₱200 billion, up from roughly ₱190 billion in 2025, driven primarily by large‑scale renewable‑energy projects such as Meralco’s SP New Energy Corp and the Terra Solar farm, slated to...
Hontiveros: Gov't Must Act Fast Amid Transport Sector Protests, Soaring Fuel Prices
Senator Risa Hontiveros urged the Philippine government to act quickly on soaring fuel prices that are wiping out up to P1,000 a day from modern jeepney drivers' earnings. She introduced Senate Bill No. 1986, proposing a P52.8 billion transport subsidy—including a P12 billion fund...
More Banks Step up ESG Integration Even as Climate Financing Challenges Persist—BSP
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reports that more Philippine banks are integrating ESG into governance and risk management, complying with BSP Circular No. 1085 which mandates environmental and social risk management systems. The rule, issued in 2020, gives banks...
JV Ejercito Pushes for Creation of Inter-Agency Task Force on Middle East Conflict
Senator Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito urged the Philippine government on March 23 to create an inter‑agency task force that would monitor and mitigate the economic and energy fallout from the escalating Middle East conflict. He cited Senate Resolution No. 43, which...
LEGO MRI Sets Are Helping Reduce Anxiety for Children in Hospitals
LEGO’s Social Responsibility team has donated more than 10,000 LEGO MRI scanner models to over 100 hospitals worldwide, helping more than one million children prepare for MRI scans. The kits, accompanied by staff training videos, let kids explore a replica...
AFP, PCG, US Forces Hold Maritime Drills in PH Waters
The Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, and U.S. Indo‑Pacific Command conducted a joint Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA 26‑3.1) on March 20 in Manila Bay and off Mariveles, Bataan. The exercise featured the frigate BRP Antonio Luna, two...
The Anti-Political Dynasty Bill: A Faustian Bargain? (Last Part)
The Philippines’ anti‑political dynasty bill aims to disperse family‑controlled seats, but empirical evidence shows such bans rarely boost programmatic parties or governance quality. Studies reveal dynasties simply substitute relatives—often women—to retain power, while interest groups re‑consolidate influence elsewhere. Experts argue...
When Illness Means Crossing Seas to Survive
The article uses a grieving employee’s story to expose the Philippines’ fragmented healthcare system, where families from remote islands must cross seas for treatment. Limited provincial facilities force costly, time‑consuming journeys that often delay life‑saving care. Lawmakers are pushing legislation...
Autumn Arkapaw: A Light for All of Us
Filipino‑American cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw became the first woman—and the first woman of color—to win the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for the film "Sinners" at the 98th Oscars. The movie, which has grossed $368 million worldwide, led the ceremony with...
DA Seeks Fertilizer Supply Deals with China, Russia Amid Mideast Tensions
The Philippine Department of Agriculture is negotiating fertilizer supply agreements with China, Russia, India and Belarus as Middle‑East tensions threaten the flow of nitrogen‑based inputs. While the agency has already secured more than 80% of its annual fertilizer requirement, rising...
NBI to Help DHSUD vs Housing Scammers
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has signed an agreement with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) to intensify investigations against organized real‑estate scams targeting Filipino homebuyers. Simultaneously, the Philippine National Police (PNP) warned officers and the...
Marcos to Teachers: Teach with Skill and Compassion
President Ferdinand Marcos addressed more than 3,300 newly promoted teachers and school heads in Cebu, urging them to lead with empathy, skill, compassion, and integrity. He highlighted the Department of Education’s Expanded Career Progression (ECP) system, which aims to promote...
Senate OKs Bill Requiring Law Enforcers to Wear Body Cameras
The Philippine Senate passed the Law Enforcement Body‑worn Camera Act, mandating police, NBI, BJMP and PDEA officers to wear cameras that meet 1080p, audio, GPS and timestamp standards, with heavy penalties for non‑compliance. The measure aims to boost transparency and...
Senators, Health Experts Alarmed over Sharp Rise in Number of E-Cigs, Vape Users Among Filipino Youth
A Senate hearing highlighted a dramatic increase in e‑cigarette use among Filipino teenagers, rising from about 37,500 users in 2021 to more than 423,000 in 2023. Health experts reported that youths as young as 13 are experimenting with flavored vapes...
CEU Hosts Mendiola Consortium’s Academic Conference on AI in Education
Centro Escolar University hosted the Mendiola Consortium’s Academic Conference on AI in education on March 11, 2026, marking the consortium’s 50th anniversary. The event gathered educators, administrators, and industry experts to explore AI’s role in learning, leadership, and service while...
Senate Bill Protecting OFW Remittances Gets 3rd Reading Nod
The Philippine Senate approved Senate Bill No. 1917, the Overseas Filipino Workers’ Remittance Protection Act, on its third and final reading. The law mandates remittance providers to disclose fees and foreign‑exchange rates, and it caps unreasonable charges. It also introduces...
For Two Nights Only: 'Itamessy' Night at Underbelly
The Underbelly and Noodle Lab are launching a two‑night pop‑up called “Itamessy” in Makati on March 16‑17, merging Japanese and Italian cuisines through a noodle‑centric menu. Chefs Noel Mauricio, Jackson Chua, Nico Gonzales, and Ally Gonzales collaborated without ego, creating...
Erwin Tulfo: No 'Epal' Politicians During Fuel Subsidy Distribution, Please
The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced intensified monitoring of gasoline stations that abruptly close amid soaring fuel prices linked to Middle East tensions. Police Chief Jose Melencio C. Nartatez warned of possible hoarding and price manipulation, pledging swift action against illegal closures. The...
Why a ‘Third Place’ Matters in Promoting Reading
The National Book Development Board (NBDB) surveyed 300 librarians and found reading ranks fourth among Filipinos’ favorite pastimes, trailing social media, family bonding, and movies. To shift reading higher on the list, the NBDB is leveraging the fourth Philippine Book...
Solar Panels and EVs: A Smart Investment or Just Panic Buying?
Rising fuel prices in the Philippines have sparked a surge in consumer interest for electric vehicles and rooftop solar installations. Experts caution that the rush is driven more by panic than sound financial analysis, emphasizing that true value lies in...